Here are the results from today’s game in the Ulster Senior League with Letterkenny Rovers still keeping some pressure on Cockhill Celtic.
Letterkenny Rovers 2 Swilly Rovers 0
Letterkenny Rovers kept on the coat tails of Cockhill Celtic in the race for the 2017 USL title when eaking out a hard earned 2-0 victory over old rivals Swilly Rovers in a strange game at a sunkissed Leckview Park on Sunday afternoon.
Before the game former teammates Lee Toland and Tony McNamee paid their own tribute to Ryan McBride while a minutes silence in memory of the Derry City defender was also impeccably observed.
It was the home side who were faster out of the blocks and they took an early lead on 8 minutes when David Shovlin threaded a lovely ball through to Chris Flanagan and when his effort came off the base of the post Ryan Lonergan was quickest to react to fire home past Caolan Bolton.
Swilly then had loud claims that goalkeeper Christopher Sweeney had handled outside the box when smothering down a chance from Ryan Toye but those appeals fell on deaf ears as referee Marty Quinn waved play on.
It was the home side who had a large number of chances to extend their lead with Paul Boyle twice going close with headers from Toland deliveries while Darren McElwaine saw his shot saved when other options may have yielded a better dividend.
Swilly rarely threatened as Letterkenny bossed the opening period but Jordan Toland had a shot well over for the visitors as the Cathedral Town men began to turn the screw in the opening period but were profligate in front of goal.
A good move involving Kevin McGrath and Lonergan saw the Lonergans cross find McElwaine but he couldnt convert when well placed while Brian McVeigh, McGrath and David Shovlin all had chances before Swilly defender Dylan Hegarty produced a last ditch tackle to deny Lonergan a second goal.
Conor Tourish then just failed to connect at the back post again from an excellent Toland delivery but Rovers manager Eamon McConigley had to be content to see his side go in at the interval with just the slender of advantages despite bossing the opening 45 minutes.
Swilly started the second half much the better and dominated possession for long periods and came close on a number of occasions to grabbing an equaliser and Letterkenny were indebted to goalkeeper Sweeney who denied Laurence Toland twice and Jordan Toland while Dylan Hegarty was beginning to cause problems and he came close from a McNamee free kick.
It was former Finn Harps player McNamee who then came closest of all when his blistering effort brought out a top notch save from Sweeney on 79 minutes but Rovers started to control proceedings in the last ten minutes and get on top once again with sub Odhran McMacken seeing his goalbound shot ruled out for offside and McElwaine came close before Rovers eventually got a stress relieving second goal and doubled their advantage when McElwaine did get on the scoresheet with minutes to go when tucking hole a fine cross from Steve Okakpo-Emekea who did well to work out the opening and that goal moves McElwaine to within one of top goalscorer in the league Cathal Farren.
Letterkenny will be happy to get over the line as games between the two sides are always hard fought but are still 6 points behind Cockhill with only 4 games left for both sides.
Letterkenny Rovers;:Christopher Sweeney, Ryan Gildea, Lee Toland, Conor Tourish, Paul Boyle, Ryan Lonergan, Chris Flanagan, Brian McVeigh, Darren McElwaine, Kevin McGrath, David Shovlin. Subs: Steve Okakpo-Emeka for Shovlin (47), Odhran Mcmacken for Flanagan (70), Dean O’Donnell for Lonergan (79).
Swilly Rovers: Caolan Bolton, Dylan Hegarty, Dan O’Donnell, Damein Friel, Marty McDaid, Jordan Toland, Ryan McDaid, Shay Durning, Tony McNamee, Laurence Toland, Ryan Toye. Subs: Ronan Boyce for McDaid (45), Mark Wilson for Durning (45).
Referee: Marty Quinn.
Cockhill Celtic 2 Finn Harps Reserves 1
Cockhill took the points in a hard earned win against an impressive Harps team. Harps went ahead on 90 seconds when Dylan McGrory capitalised on a defensive error to fire past Cullen.
They continued to press and almost got a second when Simon McGlynn fired over after a short corner.
Cockhill equalised on 10 minutes catching Harps on the break. They made the most of a 3-on-2 situation with James Bradley finding Ronan Doherty who fired past Lee McCarron.
Harps should have regained the lead on 21 minutes when BJ Banda was played through.
His initial effort was well saved by Cullen and his follow up rebounded off the post.
Cockhill got on top for the remainder of the half depending on set pieces against a resolute Harps, their best effort being a Gerry Gill free kick brilliantly saved by McCarron.
The second half started with Harps in the ascendancy with Luke Nelis firing over when well placed and McGlynn being denied by a fine smothering save from Cullen.
Cockhill took the lead on 59 minutes when a corner was only half cleared by the Harps defence to the edge of the box where Ryan Varma smashed home a volley.
Cockhill looked to finish the game with a third goal but Gerard McLaughlin headed over and Gill fired over a free kick.
Harps had possession on the last 10mins as Cockhill sat back but didn’t create any clear chances, their best being an Alex Carolan shot straight at Cullen.
RESULTS
4 Lanterns Ulster Senior League
Sunday
Cockhill Celtic 2 Finn Harps Reserves 1
Derry City Reserves P-P Bonagee United
Letterkenny Rovers 2 Swilly Rovers 0
FIXTURES
4 Lanterns Ulster Senior League
Sunday, April 2, 2pm
Swilly Rovers v Finn Harps Reserves
Derry City Reserves v Fanad United
USL P W D L F A GD PTS
Cockhill Celtic 14 11 1 2 40 13 27 34 *
Letterkenny Rovers 14 8 4 2 31 19 12 28
Fanad United 14 6 3 5 21 16 5 21
Derry City Reserves 13 6 1 6 25 21 4 19
Bonagee United 14 5 2 7 12 27 -15 17 *
Swilly Rovers 12 2 3 7 16 30 -14 9
Finn Harps Reserves 13 1 2 10 11 30 -19 5
* Cockhill Celtic awarded a 3-0 win after Derry City Reserves team deemed ineligible on Jan 22
